Welcome

The Hunter College Dance Program offers opportunities to pursue a B.A. degree in Dance and classes for the Arnhold M.A. degrees in Dance Education. Our modern dance based curriculum provides students with a vital foundation towards graduate study or professional careers in performance, choreography, teaching, arts administration, and production. Our alumni have danced for Bill T. Jones on Broadway, Pilobolus, Liz Lerman, David Dorfman, Vicky Shick, Garth Fagan, and many independent choreographers. Students work with faculty recognized in the field as performers, creators, scholars, teachers and advocates. In addition to choreographic works by visiting Harkness Guest Choreographers each semester, our students perform in a Lecture/Demonstration community outreach performance program, and can pursue internships at various recognized venues. From a campus in the heart of New York City, the dance major or dance minor student is offered many opportunities to engage with professional dance companies, choreographers, and critics who live and work in New York. The cultural diversity of the student population, the active, professional faculty and the wide range of program opportunities qualify the Hunter College Dance Program as the "hidden jewel" of New York City.

Mission & Philosophy of the Hunter College Dance Program

The mission of the undergraduate dance program is to provide a rigorous, challenging, but non-competitive, humanistic dance education, housed in a liberal arts environment. Curiosity and passion are the underpinnings of both theory and practice and we therefore seek to empower the students to trust their creative instincts and build on them as they travel through the curriculum. The curriculum informs students of the diverse definition of what it means to be a dancer-as an individual and in the greater community. All courses are designed to support students in becoming strong communicators-articulate movers, speakers and writers. Community outreach, observations, production and performance opportunities enrich the curriculum and serve as research for students and faculty alike.We believe that art making is supported by the integration of all learning experiences as well as a trust in process. Our ultimate goal is to produce "artists," individuals who practice their artistry regardless of the career paths they choose, individuals who are creative problem solvers and vital community members.

Dance, a live artistic practice, is essential to a humanistic, liberal arts education.

Dance integrates many aspects of human experience, including perception, imagination, action, expression, and relationship to others. The Hunter dance curriculum builds students’ capacities to observe, reflect, and better understand their place in the world.

A diverse community is made up of unique individuals.

While encouraging cooperative effort and collaboration, the Hunter College Dance Program recognizes the uniqueness of each individual and strives to support the healthy development of every voice. In so doing, we invite and celebrate different points of view as we cultivate the art of discussion.

Artistry is not limited by field of endeavor.

Through artistic pursuit, students build rich inner lives and deepen their capacities to observe and think critically. The curriculum’s focus on dance artistry—including choreographing, dancing, performing, producing, writing, and exploring—reflects our belief that the development of artistry helps students to succeed on any career path and instills the courage to persist.

Intrinsic motivation feeds the desire to continue learning and is key to building strong values and work habits. Both faculty and students in the program are expected to ask challenging questions of themselves and others and to contribute to the larger NYC and Hunter communities in productive and enduring ways.